If you were hoping to see a rematch between Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz, keep your expectations low.
Although the sentiment within the fan base might be different, there’s little to zero interest on Garbrandt’s part to fight Cruz a second time, he said. Garbrandt defeated Cruz to win the UFC bantamweight title in 2016, which stands as arguably his biggest career win. Now, seven years later, though situationally the fight makes some sense, Garbrandt is in no way considering a rematch with Cruz.
“Honestly, that fight doesn’t interest me,” Garbrandt told ESPN. “What else am I supposed to do with the guy? I mean, go in and knock him out this time? That’s the only thing that would go put a statement or top that. It’s so hard to top that performance.”
After defeating Cruz in 2016, many expected Garbrandt to go on a tear at 135 pounds. However, Garbrandt lost the title and went on a 1-5 skid.
But in 2023, in much-needed performances, Garbrandt bounced back and went 2-0 with wins over Trevin Jones and, most recently, Brian Kelleher at UFC 296. The 32-year-old is determined to make another run at the title, and that plan includes Deiveson Figueiredo and not Cruz.
“At the end of the day, Deiveson Figueiredo coming to the bantamweight division and having a win over Rob Font, I go knock Deiveson out, and it puts me right back in title contention,” Garbrandt said. “That’s what I’m here to do. I don’t want to be a runnerup in this sport. I always want to be at the top. I think that fight stylistically and everything it mounts to puts me back in the top.”
